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America Through the Spectacles of an Oriental Diplomat-Part20_TingFang Wu(1842-1922)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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that "progressive dinners" have recently been introduced

by the idle and rich set of young people in New York.



The modus operandi is that several dinners will, by arrangement,

be given on a certain day, and the guests will go to each house alternately,



eating one or two dishes only and remaining at the last house for fruit.

I can hardly believe this, but my friend assures me it is a fact.



It seems that eating is turned into play, and to appreciate the fun,

I would like to be one of the actors.



--

Washington officials and diplomats usually give large entertainments.



The arranging of the seats at the dinner table is a delicate matter,

as the rule of precedence has to be observed, and inattention to the rule,



by placing a wrong seat for a gentleman or lady who is entitled

to a higher place, may be considered as a slight. It is at



such functions as these that the professional story-teller,

the good reciter, the clever reader, the perfect entertainer



would make the natural selfish reserve of mankind less apparent.

Fashionable people, who entertain a good deal, are, I understand,



often puzzled to know how to provide novelties. In addition to

the suggestions I have made, may I be pardoned another?



There are many good cooks in the U.S.A. Why not commission these

to sometimes prepare a recherche Chinese dinner, with the food served



in bowls instead of plates, and with chop-sticks ("nimble lads" we call them)

for show, but forks and spoons for use. I see no reason why Chinese meals



should not become fashionable in America, as Western preparations

are frequently favored by the Elite in China. One marked difference



between the two styles is the manner in which the Chinese purveyor

throws his most delicate flavors into strong relief by prefacing it



with a diet which is insipid, harsh or pungent. Contrasts add zest

to everything human, be it dining, working, playing, or wooing.



This suggests an occasional, toothsome vegetarian repast

as a set-off to the same round of fish, flesh, fowl and wine fumes.



No people in the world can prepare such delicious vegetarian banquets

as a Chinese culinary artist.



A banquet is a more formal affair than the dinner parties

I have been discussing. It is generally gotten up to celebrate



some special event, such as the conclusion of some important business,

or the birthday of some national hero like Washington, Lincoln, or Grant;



or the Chambers of Commerce and Associations of different trades

in the important cities of America will hold their annual meetings



to hear a report and discuss the businesses transacted during the year,

winding up by holding a large banquet.



The food supplied on these occasions is by no means superior

to that given at private dinners, yet everybody is glad to be invited.



It is the inevitable rule that speeches follow the eating, and people attend,

not for the sake of the food, but for the privilege of hearing others talk.



Indeed, except for the opportunity of talking, or hearing others talk,

people would probably prefer a quiet meal at home.



Speakers with a reputation, orators, statesmen, or foreign diplomats

are frequently invited, and sometimes eminent men from other countries



are the guests of honor. These functions occur every year,

and the Foreign Ministers with whose countries the Associations



have commercial relations are generally present.

The topics discussed are nearly always the same, and it is not easy



to speak at one of these gatherings without going over the same ground

as that covered on previous occasions. I remember that a colleague of mine



who was a clever diplomat, and for whom I had great respect,

once when asked to make an after-dinner speech, reluctantly rose and,



as far as I can remember, spoke to the following effect:

"Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I thank your Association for inviting me



to this splendid banquet, but as I had the honor of speaking at your banquet

last year I have nothing more to add, and I refer you to that speech;"



he then sat down. The novelty of his remarks, of course, won him applause,

but I should like to know what the company really thought of him.



For my part, I praised his wisdom, for he diplomatically rebuked




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